10 Best Winch For Jeep 2019 – Review & Buying Guide

If you are reading this post, it is likely that we share the same passion for Jeeps. With your passion, the chances are that you live for weekends when you can explore the most challenging 4X4 trails with your Jeep. We, therefore compiled a list of the best winch for Jeep because we know that you are bound to get stuck at some point while powering up sandy hills, charging across streams, and plowing through mud.

Off-road terrains don’t care about your “best off-road driver” title. Getting stuck is an inevitability. It has happened to the best of us, but we don’t let it ruin our off-road experiences. We discovered that winches are like your personal “get out of jail free card” in off-road tracks. They get you out of trouble so you can continue enjoying your off-road adventures, and return home safely.

Top 10 Best Winch For Jeep Reviews:

1. Superwinch 1145220 Terra 45 ATV& Utility Winch

First on our list of the best winch for Jeep is the Superwinch Terra 45. Consumers describe this winch as a “serious workhorse,” and rightly so. Its power, versatility, and durability make it one of the best off-road winch for the money. If you are wondering about its maximum pull weight, this utility winch can tow a load of up to 4,500-pounds (2,046 Kgs).

But where does this pulling power come from? Well, the Terra 45 is powered by a potent 1.6 HP low-amp draw motor and driven by an all-steel 3-stage planetary gear system. This wide, sophisticated gear uses oil pocket bronze bearings to transfer the power from the engine to the tow cable more effectively. But that’s not all, the magnetic motor of this winch features a dynamic braking system with mechanical load holding.

So- Why is this particular winch regarded as the best in the business? We can spend an entire day breaking down its many of its excellent features, but the truth is that this Terra 45 winch inspires a great deal of confidence when you’re out in the wild with your Jeep. One of the major reasons why Jeep enthusiasts and off-roaders trust this winch is down to its robust steel wire rope. On top of giving the impression that it is indestructible, this steel rope provides automatic operation with its free-spooling clutch.

2. Superwinch 1130220 LT3000ATV 12 VDC Winch

The 1130220 is yet another winch from the highly respected Superwinch brand. If you are wondering what this winch offers to make you consider it for your Jeep, you are about to find out. Just as with the Terra 45 featured above, this Superwinch 1130220provides versatility and durability to its users. Another similarity is that both winches utilize the same planetary gear system.

However, you will notice that this winch is 1,500-pounds less powerful than its variant featured above. This difference in pulling power is because a slightly low-powered 1.2 HP motor powers this particular winch compared to a 1.6 HP motor in the Terra 45 winch. That said, the pulling power isn’t the only difference between these two models. The price also varies between these two models.

Fortunately, the Superwinch brand is reasonable enough to reflect the power deficiency in this 1130220 model in its price. It costs significantly less than the Terra 45. The steel ropes are another difference between the two models. The shorter and thinner rope of this particular winch feels just as robust and inspires the same confidence when off-roading in the jungle. Ultimately, the Superwinch 1130220 can be classified as a budget winch for novice off-roaders and intermediate-level off-roaders.

3. Smittybilt 98510 Synthetic Rope Winch

Third on our list of the best winch for Jeep is the 98510 winch from the highly-regarded Smittybilt brand. Anyone who’s ever used a product from this brand can attest to their functionality and reliability. Smittybilt has been around for over half a century, and this 98510 winch is among one of their many products that continue to carry on its excellent legacy.

If you are a serious off-roader, this synthetic 98510 might just be the winch for you. Upon much scrutiny, it is easy to see why many Smittybilt winch reviews rave about this particular winch. Yes, it might require you to reach further down your pockets or purse to purchase, but it is well worth it. From its high-quality build to its wide range of features, you have a trustworthy companion to bail you out of all kinds of sticky situations in the wild.

What makes this Smittybilt 98510 worth your buck? Simple. Its potent motor, sophisticated gear system and long synthetic line are up there with the industry best. This winch is powered by a 6.6 HP amphibious motor that produces a maximum pull of up to 10,000-pounds. Also, the comprehensive list of warranties that come with this winch is a testament to its quality assurance.

4. Smittybilt 97495 XRC Winch

The 97495 is the second Smittybilt winch in our list, and just like the Smittybilt 98510 mentioned above, this particular winch has a lot going for it. The Smittybilt 97495 is a second-generation winch from the XRC series. But how is this relevant? Interested parties will especially be glad to learn that the new Smittybilt 97495 comes thoroughly updated with the latest features and heavy-duty materials to enhance its performance and durability respectively.

Wait for it. That’s not all with the Smittybilt 97495 winch. As impressive as this winch, is its price It costs a fraction of the amount the Smittybilt 98510 costs and offers the same level of performance. It is probably one of the best bangs for buck winches you can find.

In a nutshell, the Smittybilt 97495 winch is an intermediary-level winch for off-road enthusiasts. For its price, this winch almost feels like an early holiday gift from the people at Smittybilt. This versatile winch is powered by a potent 6.6 HP engine that produces a maximum pulling power of up to 9,500-pounds.

5. Warn 89120 ZEON 12 Winch

The Warn 89120 ZEON is without a doubt one of the best 12,000 lbs. winch on the market. Before we explore its immense power output, you have to take a second to admire its excellent design and build quality. This is the natural response you get when you unbox this winch. Its exceptional build quality is highlighted by its muck-busting sealing and durable satin-black cast-aluminum housing.

Enthusiasts refer to the Warn 89120 ZEON winch as a “workhorse,” and like a real-life workhorse, you will have to cough up a significant amount of money to acquire it. A huge chunk of that money goes into the ZEON’s new potent motor and efficient gear train. These two components work together to produce a staggering 12,000-pound force of pulling power.

But is this ZEON worth its steep price? Well, its performance numbers and price numbers tell you a story. The story is that the ZEON 89120 is not a regular winch. Much like the Smittybilt 98510 winch mentioned above, this Warn winch is for Jeep owners who live and breathe off-roading. Ultimately, these are people that will utilize the full capabilities of this winch and won’t feel the pinch of spending a fortune on it.

Highlighted Features:

Max Line Pull: 12,000-pounds

Sturdy wire rope with a uniquely balanced roller fairlead

Consistent design throughout the entire winch

Convertible control pack

Weather-sealed Warn winch solenoid

Black powder-coated finish with stainless steel fasteners and clutch to protect against corrosion

6. X-BULL 12V Synthetic Rope Winch

The X-BULL 12V is one of the most unique winches you can get for your Jeep. It is not often you find a professional reviewer like myself having a hard time categorizing products. This X-BULL winch is one of those rare products. This is because the characteristics of this winch are all over the place. But this mixture of characteristics is not necessarily a bad thing.

In fact, in the case of the X-BULL winch, this mixture of characteristics is a positive thing. How so? The manufacturers of this X-BULL took the best attributes of winches and created one of the best winches in the form of this 12V model. Faced with the conundrum of creating a unique winch, the manufacturers of the X-BULL 12V created one of the most powerful witches on the market but slapped a meager price on it.

Typically, a 13,000-pound winch is considered a high-end/premium winch among off-road enthusiasts. But if you take that winch and give it the price of an entry-level/novice winch, it becomes hard to classify the wrench into one group.

That said, you don’t care about these details. You are more interested in finding out if the X-BULL 12V is worth the risk. Simple. The answer is a resounding, “YES!” How can you not fall in love with its vibrant orange color? That color alone will earn your Jeep points on the “cool car” board.

Highlighted Features:

Comes in a unique, vibrant orange color

Max Line Pull: 13,000-pounds

Waterproof IP67 rating

26-metre DYNEEMA SYNTHETIC cable

Comes with an overload protector and a winch cover to protect against harsh weather conditions

7. Warn 87835 VR8000-s Synthetic Rope Winch

The 87835 VR8000-s is yet another Warn product on our best winch for Jeep review. If you are a Jeep owner that’s begun modifying your Jeep, Warn is a brand that doesn’t require any introduction. You have probably encountered it somewhere along your modification journey. Given our tough selection criteria, having two winches featured on our review is a testament to Warns immaculate products.

This particular Warn 87835 VR8000-s belongs to the VR series of winches that are famous for their pocket-friendly prices and high-performance levels. The Warn brand guarantees highly functional and durable products. To this end, the VR8000-s winch is fitted with all the bells and whistles that have become synonymous with the Warn brand. You get a 100-foot Spydura synthetic rope, a three-stage planetary gear train, and much more for a fraction of the price.

The most impressive thing about this particular Warn VR8000-s is its seamless way of delivering power. From its name, the Warn VR8000-s utilizes a motor that delivers a maximum pulling force of up to 8,000-pounds. With this amount of pulling capacity, the VR8000-s winch can pull you out of any trouble you encounter in your wild adventures. Also, as you expect from a classy brand, this winch comes with all Warn winch accessories and favorable warranty terms.

8. OFFROAD BOAR Synthetic Rope Winch

The OFFROAD BOAR is one of the favorite Synthetic Rope Winches on the market. Like the Warn VR8000-s featured above, this OFFROAD BOAR is popular for its low price yet high-performance ratings. Together with the X-BULL 12V, this winch is the joint most potent winches featured on this review.

They produce a mind-boggling pulling capacity of up to 13,000-pounds. But that’s not where the similarities between these two winches end. Like the X-BULL 12V featured above, it is just as hard to classify this OFFROAD BOAR. This is because its performance levels outshine its meager price point.

After careful scrutiny, this OFFROAD BOAR is up there when it comes to providing value for money. That said, the chances are that unless you are an extreme off-roader, you will never utilize the full capabilities of this OFFROAD BOARwinch. However, you can take comfort in knowing that if you ever get stuck in a tricky situation, you can always depend on this winch to bail you out.

Highlighted Features:

Waterproof grade IP67

Rated line pull: Maximum pulling power capacity of up to 13,000-pounds

9. Smittybilt 97510 X 2O Winch

The Smittybilt 97510 X 2O Winch did not make it to our list by sheer luck; it has a lot going for it. One can spend days talking about the brilliance of this Smittybilt 97510 X 2O Winch, and fail to scratch the surface. This winch provides the perfect balance between price and functionality, a feat that has made it popular with enthusiasts.

The first impression you get when you unbox it is its phenomenal build quality. This heavy-duty wrench has a nice weight to it and is coated with a black powder paint that gives the impression that this winch is indestructible. Overall, the build quality of this Smittybilt 97510 X 2O Winch fills one with confidence that it will perform its job whenever the need arises.

In regards to features, this Smittybilt 97510 X 2O Winch has it all. With a potent 6.6 HP Series Wound (SW) motor and a sophisticated 3-Stage Planetary gear train, this winch utilizes the best equipment on the market. When you dig deeper, you realize that this is just the tip of the iceberg with this winch. Below are summarized features of the Smittybilt 97510 X 2O Winch.

Highlighted Features:

Waterproof: IP68 Rating.

Max line Pull: 10,000-pounds or (4,535kgs).

Motor: Potent and Reliable 6.6 HP Series Wound (SW).

Wireless remote control Switch with a 12-foot working radius

3-Stage Planetary gear train with 218:1 ratio

Sliding Ring Gear Clutch and Automatic Out-Of-Drum Brake.

Finish: Textured Black for maximum protection against corrosion

Protected by a Lifetime Mechanical Warranty and a 5 Year Electrical Warranty

10. Superwinch LT2000 12V Utility Winch

Last but not least is the LT2000 winch from Superwinch. This Superwinch LT2000 winch is unique in its own right. Despite not being the “typical” top 10 products we go for, this light-duty winch impressed us. The main reason we picked this winch is that it does what it was designed to do very well.

The Superwinch LT2000 is a light-duty, low-cost winch. There is no denying or sugarcoating this fact. In fact, the LT2000 embraces the tag that it’s a budget a winch for people that don’t want to break the bank but want a small, reliable and functional tool. The bare truth is that this LT2000 winch is for show purposes only. It is ideal for Jeep owners that don’t off-road. The kind of owners that want to have it on their Jeep to beef up its look but never actually use it in real off-road situations.

With a 1 HP PM motor that only produces 2,000-pounds of pulling force, the absolute reality is that this winch is next to useless when you are stuck in the wild. If your Jeep weighs over 1,300-pounds, good luck trying to rescue it using this winch. That said, at its price, this LT2000 is the best low-budget winch and as such worth it every penny in its price tag.

Buying Guide: Things to Consider When Selecting Winch For Jeep

To someone who’s never used a winch before, they can seem tricky, but the truth is that they are not. Therefore, when buying a winch for your Jeep, there are a few things you ought to know about winches. Here are the top considerations to make if you want to get the best value for your hard earned cash:

1. Rated Line Pull (Winch Capacity)

This is perhaps the most important consideration to make. Rated Line Pull (RLP) essentially measures the pulling power of a winch and is represented in pounds or kilograms. The tensile strength of the rope and the mechanical capacity of the winch are tested to determine the performance level of a winch.

Some of the most potent winches can have an RLP of up to 13,000-pounds while the lower-end winches can have an RLP as low as 2,000-pounds. But how much pulling power is enough for your Jeep? Well, multiply its Gross weight by 1.5 to establish the ideal pulling power for your Jeep.

2. Electric vs. Hydraulic Winches

What is the main difference between these two types of winches? The main difference between electric and hydraulic winches is the work cycle. With a hydraulic winch, you can spool endlessly as long as the engine is running. Electric winches give you maximum spooling power even when the engine is dead, albeit for only five minutes.

Since hydraulic winches can run forever, they are ideal for continuous heavy-duty commercial activities such as farming and ranching. Electric winches, on the other hand, should be more than adequate for most adventure-seeking Jeep owners that want to have fun in their favorite off-road spots. Interestingly enough, Mile Marker is the only brand that produces hydraulic winches for 4X4s.

3. Line/Rope Length

The length of the line is another important factor to consider. The length of most lines lies between the 20-foot mark and 100-foot mark. Obviously, a longer line gives you further reach than a shorter one. However, this can be costly in that it can get snarled up, jammed or kinked. For this reason, most people prefer 50-foot lines and below since they can purchase supplementary line extenders.

4. Gear Train

Winches utilize three types of gear trains. Here are their different functions and features:

Spur Gear Winches: These types of winches use a pair of spur gears. The larger gear is mounted on the motor shaft while the smaller one is mounted on the winch shaft. These gears operate with low friction and as such are fast. But even so, the spur gear technology is dated as the only current winch using this technology is the old Warn 8274-50.

Worm Gear Winches: These types of winches are even more dated than spur gear winches. Manufacturers stopped using this gear technology. In fact, modern winches now use a combination of worm gears and spur gears for better load holding capacity and braking potential. However, despite their ability to tow massive loads, they are painfully slow. Ramsey, Pierce, and Superwinch are the only brands that currently produce worm gear winches.

Planetary Gear Winches: Planetary gear trains are considered the standard for winches. Nowadays, all the premium winches use this gear technology for its compact size, lightweight nature, and affordability. Performance-wise, planetary gears are fast and can handle a considerable load of weight. Their only drawback is their internal brake system that tends to overheat when spooling out under load.

5. Winch Motor

Electric winches utilize two types of motors, Series Wound (SW) and Permanent Magnet (PM) motors. PM motors are light-duty and thus less costly compared to SW motors. SW motors are also more powerful, and generally, produce 10 to 15 percent more amps than PM motors. What’s more, SW motors are more durable and practical than PM motors. They are more tolerant of abuse and heat and don’t lose power in icy conditions.

How to Install Jeep Winch

If you decide to install the winch yourself, here is the complete step by step guide to follow:

Step 1: Safety comes first. Disconnect the negative battery cable followed by the positive wire to cut off all power in your vehicle when working.

Step 2: Install the fairlead at the front of the winch plate. Use a torque wrench to secure the provided fairlead bolts in place.

Step 3: Align the winch to the winch plate and secure it in place tightly using the provided winch bolts. These bolts are long and should easily penetrate winch for easy fastening.

Step 4: Undo the four bolts that hold the tow hooks in place on your Jeep’s bumper. This step requires an extra pair of hands to hold the winch in place.

Step 5: With your friend holding the winch in place, replace the bolts you’ve unscrewed then fasten the provided (longer) bolts. The provided bolts are longer and should attach the winch to your bumper securely.

Step 6: The next step is powering the wrench. Direct the red and black power cables to the battery. Run the cables through the grill, past the radiator and attach them to the battery and tighten them securely. The red cable (positive) should go to the positive battery terminal while the black cable (negative) should go to the negative battery terminal.

Step 7: Finally, re-attach the battery cables to the battery then turn on the engine to test your latest accessory.

As you can see, installing a winch to your Jeep is a straightforward procedure that anyone can do. If you’ve followed the steps as highlighted above, you can drive your Jeep to your nearest 4X4 track to test out your new winch.

Differences Between A Synthetic Line and Steel Cable Winches

Wire lines and synthetic lines are the two basic types of wrench lines/ropes. Here is a little information about both ropes:

Wire Ropes: These ropes are made up of bundled up strands of carbon steel wire. This traditional rope type is cheap to produce and is highly resistant to heat and abrasion. The downside to this rope type is that it is super heavy and vulnerable to crushing if wrongly re-spooled.

The 7X19 is the most common wire rope. It uses 19 strands of carbon steel wire that are intertwined into seven bundles. The 6X37 is a less common wire rope. Since it uses thinner carbon steel wires, it is more flexible but more prone to abrasion than 7X19 ropes.

Synthetic Ropes:These ropes are relatively new in the winch industry. They are popular with most manufacturers for their lightweight and rigidity. For instance, a 120-foot synthetic rope only weighs 5-pounds while a similar-length 120-foot wire rope weighs 28-pounds.

They are also generally stronger than wire ropes. Synthetic ropes and wire ropes of similar diameter were tested, and it turned out that synthetic ropes can handle more tension than wire ropes. If your winch uses wire ropes, there is no need to worry. Most manufacturers sell synthetic ropes separately in case you might need to upgrade your old wire ropes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Winch For Jeep:

Q-1: Which is the best winch for my Jeep?

Wow, there are many good winches for sale. Superwinch, Warn, X-Bull, Smittybilt, and Off-road Boar are some of the best winch brands on the market, and you cannot go wrong with them. Ultimately, the best winch for your Jeep depends on your needs and wants. But based on our professional opinion; the Superwinch LT2000 is the best budget winch while the Smittybilt 97495 XRC is the best winch for intermediate off-roaders, and lastly, the Warn 89120 Zeon 12 is the best heavy-duty winch on the market.

Q-2: How do I determine the ideal capacity/RLP (Rated Line Pull) for my Jeep?

Simple. Multiply your Jeep’s gross weight by a factor of 1.5 to determine the minimum RLP required for your Jeep.

Q-3: Can I install the winch by myself?

Yes. Winch installation is a simple process that anyone can do.

Q-4: Is a winch more effective than towing?

Yes. If your Jeep is stuck, a winch is better equipped to free you. It is safer, takes less effort and does a cleaner job at freeing your vehicle than towing with an extra car.

Q-5: Should I go for a wire rope winch or synthetic rope winch?

Synthetic rope winches are newer to the industry and are better. Synthetic ropes are lighter, more flexible, have appendage-friendly surfaces, and can handle more tension than steel wire ropes of the same diameter.

Q-6: Can I replace the wireline on my winch with a synthetic line?

Yes. This is possible. Most winch manufacturers sell aftermarket synthetic lines in case you damaged or needed to replace your old winch line.

Q-7: Should I install a hydraulic or electric winch on my Jeep?

You should install an electric winch. These winches are more appropriate for 4X4 SUVs than hydraulic winches. Hydraulic winches are more suitable for commercial applications such as large-scale farming, ranching, and other heavy-duty applications. Also, hydraulic winches are harder to come by than electric ones.

Q-8: Permanent Magnet (PM) motors vs. Series Wound (SW) motors. Which is the best motor type?

SW motors are more heavy-duty, powerful, reliable, durable and practical than PM motors. They are better equipped to handle abuse and are less likely to lose power in extremely cold or hot conditions.

Final Verdict

As we’ve established in this lengthy post, winches are essential accessories to have in Jeeps. This is especially true if you’ve embraced the off-roading lifestyle that’s practiced by so many Jeep owners. Your budget is critical when it comes to buying a winch for your Jeep, but shouldn’t be the determining factor when making the final decision.

Many other factors can guide your decision. For instance, some people install winches to enhance the aggressive stance on their Jeeps. If you fall into this category, it does not make sense spending over $1,000 on a heavy-duty winch that you won’t use when you can achieve your goal by spending less $200. We hope you enjoyed this post and acquired important knowledge on the best winch for Jeep to enable you to spend your money more wisely.